1. Gleyber Torres, SS
Birthdate: 12/13/96 (19 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A
Stats in 2016: .270/.354/.421, 11 HR, 21 SB
I got to see Torres in April and was incredibly impressed in the drastic change to his physical build from 2015. While he looked to be at a similar weight, his build was completely different.
The offensive results followed the change in build. Initially, Torres worked to adjust his swing to his new build, but as he did, he cut down on strikeouts and began making LOUD contact.
Torres saw no reduction in his defensive ability, likely even gaining more strength in his legs to make leaps that he’s received notice for in the lower levels of the minors.
Torres progressed throughout the entire 2016 season as he moved from the Cubs to the Yankees as the primary piece of the Aroldis Chapman return and then to the Arizona Fall League, where he was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the league.
Torres has improved to a legit fringe-plus power tool along with his plus contact and plus run tool. This should allow him to tally a ton of gap hits, and he did collect 45 extra base hits.
Torres will likely open 2017 at AA at 20 years old, which is incredibly impressive, and he’s secured himself as one of the top 10 prospects in the entire game.
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